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KO- SHAMO

ORIGIN: Japan

CATEGORY: Hard feather. (Bantam)

EGG COLOUR:  Cream or tinted (Sitters)

HISTORY

In Japan Ko-Shamo are the most popular of the “Small Shamo” breeds. Other breeds of this group are Kimpa, Nankin-Shamo, Yakido and Yamato-Gunkei. Ko-Shamo have very scanty plumage and muscular build.  The aim is to have as much character as possible within the weight limits.

The Japanese are masters in minimizing objects and living things (bonsai trees, chickens, fish) The geographical conditions in Japan promote this skill. On the main island Honshu, there is almost no space to build, except on the East coastmargin, as Japan is mostly a country of hills and mountains. To enable the keeping of gamefowl in very small spaces they have created the Ko Shamo, a small game breed still in possession of a game character. A trio of these birds can be kept in a space of 4 square feet. Despite these conditions fertility is excellent, as is their laying ability and hatch rate. Chicks also grow without problems, however overcrowding can lead to problems as they display their game “killer” instincts at an early age.

Ko Shamo are very popular in Japan and Europe due to their qualities and character. They have following features: triple,walnut or ‘chrysanthemum’ comb, pearl eyes, extremely short hard feather, wings carried out from the body and very prominent at the shoulders. The tail is known as shimp or prawn tail (main sickle feathers curving down, side feathers pointing in horizontal direction). Also a very typical feature is the so-called open or split wing which is seen in the best birds. This feature was originally seen in Europe as an anatomical defect, but it is now accepted everywhere as a legitimate characteristic of the breed. 

In Japan Ko-Shamo are the most popular of the “Small Shamo” breeds. Other breeds of this group are Kimpa, Nankin-Shamo, Yakido and Yamato-Gunkei. Ko-Shamo have very scanty plumage and muscular build.  The aim is to have as much character as possible within the weight limits.

BREEDING

The main objective of breeding is to achieve the desired type within weight limits. Male weight: 1.2Kg and female weight 0.9Kg maximum. A well-built Ko-Shamo’s  body is to be divided into three equal parts: head and neck; breast; legs. Birds of the best type are usually found to have a split wing. A characteristic feature of this breed is that they walk on their front toes with the back toe elevated.

COLOURS

Any colour or combination of colours are acceptable.

In both sexes and all colours: Eyes pearl or yellow, often darker in young birds. Beak yellow or horn, with dark markings on some varieties. Legs and feet yellow, dusky on darker varieties. Skin where exposed red.

BREEDERS:

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